50th International Mendeleev Olympiad, 2016

1st theoretical tour

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Solutions

Problem 1 (author M.K. Beklemishev)

1.

2I + O2 + 2H+ = H2O + I2 (1 point).

2.

According to the equation of the reaction between thiosulfate and iodine:

4
2S2O2
3 + I2 = S4O6 + 2I

one atom of molecular iodine requires one thiosulfate anion in titration. For this reason, the volume
of thiosulfate shown in the problem situation corresponds to 0.39 mmol of I, and 3.9 mmol of I
correspond to the whole amount of the precipitate (accounting for the volume of the flask and
aliquote) (1 point). Then the molar weight of the compound containing in the precipitate will be
equal to 1.205 / 0.0039 n = 309n (where n is the number of iodine atoms in the molecule), which
can be 309, 618, 927, ... g/mol. The molecular weight of CTMA cation is 284 g/mol, that is, we
have to consider the values starting from 618 g/mol. In that case, the anion weight should be
334 g/mol, and since it should contain two iodine atoms, the rest of mass of the anion will equal
334 2 127 = 80 g/mol (1 point), which is close to the weight of bromide ion. In that case, the
simple formula of the precipitate will be CTMAI2Br, with I2Br being a part of the anion. We can
suppose that I2Br is an analogue of triiodide ion I3. Then the reaction of formation of CTMA salt
will look like the following:
CTMA+ + I2 + Br = CTMAI2Br (2 points)
3.

The amount of iodine extracted form 100 g of algae was 0.0039 mol, or 0.495 g

~ 0.5 g/100 g (0.5 points).

4.

Based on the given quantities of substances, iodide is in twofold excess to iodate:

2NaI + NaIO3 + nHBr B. Fading color was caused by iodine formed by the reaction of
5I + IO3 + H+ 3I2, however, there was an excess of iodate, so the oxidation passed on. By problem
situation, only one product was formed, that can only be iodine monobromide: 2I + IO3 + 6H+ =
= 3IBr + 3H2O, or, if a possibility of complexation of B with bromide ion is taken into account,
2I + IO3 + 6H+ + 6Br = 3IBr2 + 3H2O (that particulat form of I+ is actually present in the solution;
1.5 points for any of the equations of formation of IBr).
5.

The amount of IBr (or IBr2) formed was equal to 8 mmol (iodide) + 4 mmol (iodate) =

= 12 mmol. IBr reacts with 12 mmol of iodide, hence the equation of that reaction may only look
like that: IBr + I = I2 + Br or I2Br (1.5 points). Next, is formed again: CTMA+ + I2 + Br =
= CTMAI2Br (0 points, if this equation has been already written above, and 2 points, if not).
6.

Hydrolysis of : IBr + H2O = HOI + H+ + Br (1 point). Since the acid is formed, the

equilibrium of hydrolysis is shifted to the right by the alkali: IBr + 2OH = OI + Br + H2O
(0.5 points).

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50th International Mendeleev Olympiad, 2016

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Solutions

Problem 2 (author D.M. Volochnyuk)

1.

It is clear that elements forming compounds A and B are carbon and hydrogen. Then brutto-

formula of is (2)n. Accounting for gaseousness of A, n should be between 2 and 4. To

determine structure of we need consider its biosynthesis presented in problems. The
transformation of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) into 5-methylthioadenosine (MTA) proceeds
with elimination of amino acid residue. Therefore, structure of C consists of a-amino acid
fragment. This is partially supported by results of the oxidation of C. There are two amino acids
with formula of C4H7NO2, one of them is chiral, another one is achiral. The last one is the
compound . Analyzing biochemical oxidation of C (formation of CO2 and HCN requires two
carbon atoms) we can conclude than n = 2, and A is ethene, H2C=CH2.
O

O
*

HO

HO
H2 N

NH2

From the content of hydrogen in compound it is possible to determine that brutto-formula

of is (23)n. In this case n should be equal to 2 (formula is senseless for odd n, if n > 2, B cannot
be gaseous). Let us write down possible isomers having formula of 46. Only compounds 4 6
have the carbon skeleton identical to that of compound . Among them, compound 4 has the lowest
symmetry than 5 and 6. Therefore, 4 is compound (1-methylcyclopropene, 1-MCP). The choice
between 5 and 6 should be based on the number of double bond migrations during its formation
from methallyl chloride as well as thermodynamic consideration (in 5 only one sp2 carbon has
abnormal valence angle, in 6 both sp2 carbon atoms have these strains). Both considerations lead to
the conclusion that is compound 5 (structural formulae of and 2 points for each; structural
formulae of and 1 point for each, 6 points in total).
C
1

2.

4
B

5
B'

Considering molecular formulae of D and E, it is possible to conclude that D is alcohol, and E

is its mesylate. Accounting for high affinity of silicon to fluorine, the generation of 1-MCP can be
represented by reaction below.
Bu4N+ F-

E
C11H24O3SSi

+ Bu3Me2SiF + Bu4N+ MeSO3B

For the regioselective formation of 1-methylcyclopropene the eliminating fragments should

be connected to the carbon atoms forming the double bond. We know that D is formed by the
cyclopropanation of BuMe2SiCH=CH2. Therefore, silyl group should be connected to moiety.

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50th International Mendeleev Olympiad, 2016

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At last, D is trans-isomer. Taking all these data together, we can write down structural formulae of
D and (1 point for each structural formula, 2 points in total).
OH
D

3.

OSO2Me

SiMe2Bu

SiMe2Bu

To achieve the required concentration of 1-MCP, it is needed:

(1-MCP) = 5109 (12.0 2.3 2.4103) / 22.4 = 14.79106 mol. To prepare this amount of 1MCP, the minimum amount of should be: (1-MCP) M(E) = 14.79106 264.46 = 3.91103 g
. Analogously we can calculate the volume of Bu4NF solution in DMF. This is 14.79106 / 2.3 =
= 6.43106 L (or 6.43103 mL) (2 calculations, 1 point for each, 2 points in total).

Problem 3 (author M.S. Likhanov)

1.

Unknown metal A is bismuth. This easily can be determined by performing the calculation of

weight loss upon the metal hydroxides heating to its oxide:

aA(OH)x = bAyOz + cH2O,
Examining the oxidation degrees of the metal, we can find that if the oxidation state is +3:
2A(OH)3 = A2O3 + 3H2O

The weight loss =

3M ( H 2 O )
3 18
= 0.104 , hence x = 208.6, A bismuth.
=
2 M (A(OH)3 ) 2 ( x + 3 17)

Thus B Bi2O3.
The obtaining of bismuth from sulfide:
2Bi2S3 + 9O2 = 2Bi2O3 + 6SO2
Bi2O3 + 3C = 2Bi + 3CO
Bismuth dissolution in nitric acid:
Bi + 4HNO3 = Bi(NO3)3 + NO + 2H2O; C Bi(NO3)3
Example of bismuth salts hydrolysis reaction:
6Bi(NO3)3 + 12H2O = [Bi6O4(OH)4](NO3)64H2O + 12HNO3
The obtaining of bismuth hydroxide:
Bi(NO3)3 + 3NaOH = Bi(OH)3 + 3NaNO3; D Bi(OH)3
Oxidation of bismuth hydroxide by potassium persulfate in an alkaline medium leads to the
formation of potassium bismuthate:
Bi(OH)3 +K2S2O8 + 3KOH = KBiO3 + 2K2SO4 + 3H2O; E KBiO3
It is widely known that potassium bismuthate able to oxidize manganeses salt to
permanganate, which has a deep crimson color that corresponds to the absorption band in the green
region.
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10KBiO3 + 4MnSO4 + 18H2SO4 = 4KMnO4 + 3K2SO4 + 5Bi2(SO4)3 + 9H2O; F KMnO4

Decomposition of bismuth hydroxide to oxide and its subsequent fusion with sodium peroxide
to produce sodium bismuthate.
2Bi(OH)3 = Bi2O3 + 3H2O
2Bi2O3 + 2Na2O2 + O2 = 4NaBiO3
Example of bismuth oxide production from its :
2Bi(CH3COO)3 = Bi2O3 + 3(CH3CO)2O
(0.5 points for each substance and 0.3 points for each reaction, 5.4 points in total)
2.

Wood's metal consists of Bi, lead, tin and cadmium (0.5 points). Wood's metal is used as a

low-temperature heating bath in a chemical laboratory, in precision castings, in galvanoplastics, for

sensors in the fire alarm system (0.1 points for each feature, 0.9 points in total).
3.

Taking into account mentioned elements of symmetry, structure of the six-core complex has

the view (1.5 points in total):

4.

F is KMnO4. F has a deep crimson color, and concentrated solutions have purple and almost

black color (0.2 points). Color of permanganate ion is explained by MOT, since the transition with
the charge transfer from atomic orbitals localized predominantly on oxygen to anti-bonding orbitals
localized on the manganese takes place (0.8 points, 1 points in total).
5.

The main sign of the superconducting state appearance is zero resistance. In addition, the

superconducting state is characterized by the Meissner effect (the effect of the full expulsion of the
magnetic field from a superconductor volume (perfect diamagnetism)) and the Josephson effect (the
effect of the superconducting current flowing through a thin isolator layer separating two
superconductors) (0.4 points for each feature, 1.2 points in total).

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Solutions

Problem 4 (authors B.N. Garifullin, Yu.S. Holovko)

1.

The three isomers of the diprotic aromatic carboxylic acid with the molecular formula of

8H6O4 are:
HOOC

COOH

HOOC

HOOC

HOOC

phthalic acid

isophthalic acid

COOH

terephthalic acid

The following polyesters are produced by polycondensation of these acids with ethylene
glycol:
O

O
O

O
n

The most probable choice is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a thermoplastic widely used
for food packing (0.25 points for each isomer, 0.25 point for the correct choice, 1 point in total):

2.

Any of the above mentioned polycondensation reactions describes the interaction of ethylene

glycol with a carboxylic acid. The hereunder calculation confirms that about 30% of the polymer
mass originates from ethylene glycol (EG) (1 point):
62

(EG) = 62 + 166 = 27% 30%

3.

Sugar-cane (attention to the name!) contains substantial amount of sucrose (up to 21 wt% in

the stem) that is converted into ethanol upon fermentation:

C12H22O11 + H2O C6H12O6 (glucose) + C6H12O6 (fructose);
C6H12O6 (glucose) 2C2H5OH + 2CO2
In turn, ethanol can be transformed into ethylene glycol in three stages via the industrial processes
(0.5 point for each reaction, 2.5 points in total):
OH

4.

-H2O
T, Al2O3

H2C CH2

/2 O 2
T, P, Ag

H2C CH2
O

+H2O
T, H+

HO

OH

The bottles can be distinguished by means of the isotopic analysis. The conventional packing

produced via processing of a fossil fuel contains practically no

14

C isotope, since its half-decay

period (5700 years) is far below the date of the fossil fuels formation (tens of millions years). On
the contrary, the packing produced from contemporary phytogenous raw materials contains almost
maximum possible fraction of the

14

C isotope that was assimilated by the plant used in the bottle

production from atmosphere upon vegetation (2 points).

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The first value is obtained if one takes into account the number of carbon atoms in the

polymer structure originating from ethylene glycol:

2

(C) = 2 + 8 100% = 20%

The second value is obtained if one takes into account the fraction of the ethylene glycol moiety
OCH2CH2O in the structure of the repeating unit of X (based on the esterification mechanism
elucidated by using alcohols labeled with oxygen isotopes) (1 point for calculation of each value,
2 points in total):
60

(moiety) = 192 100% = 31.25%

6.

Taking 0.85 kg/L as oil density (an estimate! The actual values are found between 0.82 and

0.95 kg/L depending on the brand; any value within 0.61 kg/L is accepted) and 85% as the mass
fraction of carbon in oil (calculated for octane; any value within 8385% is accepted), one gets the
mass of carbon in the preserved volume of oil as:
m(C) = 445000 bl 159 L/bl 850 g/L 0.85 51010 g
As found before, ethylene glycol brings only each fifth carbon atom in the X structure; hence,
the mass of the produced polymer is
m ( X) =

5 1010 g 5
4 1011 g ,
0.63

or about 20 g per bottle (this is close to the mass of a 0.33 L PET bottle, you can double check the
validity of the value yourself) (1.5 point).

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Solutions

Problem 5 (author V.N. Khvalyuk)

1.

In the first stage, the reaction between oxalic acid H2C2O4 and potassium permanganate

KMnO4 occurs; the former acts as a reductant [it can only be oxidized to carbon(IV)], while the
latter is an oxidant. The oxidation state of manganese (from +2 to +6) in the reduction product of
KMnO4 depends on the acidity of the reaction medium.
31.5

6.32

In the first stage, 126 = 0.250 mol of H2C2O42H2O and 158 = 0.0400 mol of KMnO4 were
mixed. Reduction of manganese(VII) to Mn(II) requires the reagents to the in the molar ratio of 5:2
(not taking into account acid-base interaction). Here, the ratio is much higher and is equal to
0.250:0.0400 = 12.5:2. Therefore there is a large excess of H2C2O4 and the reaction medium will be
acidic, which means the product of KMnO4 reduction should be Mn(II) (another indicator is the
reaction temperature and the order in which reagents are mixed). Since the medium is acidic and the
temperature is high (7075), the final oxidation state of H2C2O4 will be CO2. The Problem states
that at the end of the first stage solution is cooled, which means there is no MnC2O4 precipitate.
This can only be if oxalate complex of manganese(II) is formed, as there are no other anions in the
solution. The equation of the reaction is:
2KMnO4 + 9H2C2O4 = K2[Mn(C2O4)2] + H2[Mn(C2O4)2] + 10CO2- + 8H2O.
Adding potassium carbonate leads to the reactions:
H2C2O4 + K2CO3 = K2C2O4 + CO2- + H2O; H2[Mn(C2O4)2] + K2C2O4 = K2[Mn(C2O4)2] + H2C2O4
(or H2[Mn(C2O4)2] + K2CO3 = K2[Mn(C2O4)2] + CO2- + H2O)
Hence the equation of the first step of synthesis is (1 point):
2KMnO4 + 9H2C2O4 + K2CO3 = 11CO2- + 2K2[Mn(C2O4)2] + 9H2O
2.

In the second step, the compounds containing Mn(II) (reductant) and Mn(VII) (oxidant) react

with each other. Obviously, the resulting product should have Mn in the oxidation state between +2
and +7.
1.58

In the first stage, 0.0400 mol of the Mn(II)-containing compound was formed, and 158 =
0.0100 mol of KMnO4, was added to it, i.e. the molar ratio of Mn(II) : Mn(VII) was 4:1.
Electron-balanced equation
4 Mn(II) + 1 Mn(VII) = 5 Mn(III)
3 Mn(II) + 2 Mn(VII) = 5 Mn(IV)
2 Mn(II) + 3 Mn(VII) = 5 Mn(V)
1 Mn(II) + 4 Mn(VII) = 5 Mn(VI)

Molar ratio of Mn(II) : Mn(VII)

4:1
3:2
2:3
1:4

As shown above, in the second stage, the molar ratio of reagents is 4 : 1, which means the
product of the second stage is substance containing Mn(III). Since the only anion in the reaction
+
media is C2O2
4 , and the only cation is K , the compound is K3[Mn(C2O4)3]. Crystallization yields

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K3[Mn(C2O4)3]xH2O precipitate. Based on the mass fraction of potassium, = 3. Hence the

formula of is K3[Mn(C2O4)3]3H2O (1 point).
In the second stage, the reaction is (1 point):
KMnO4 + 4K2[Mn(C2O4)2] + 4H2C2O4 + 3K2C2O4 = 5K3[Mn(C2O4)3] + 4H2O
3.

The total chemical equation leading to A is (1 point):

KMnO4 + 5H2C2O4 + K2CO3 = K3[Mn(C2O4)3] + 5CO2- + 5H2O

Overall, 0.0400 + 0.0100 = 0.0500 mol of KMnO4 was used in the synthesis, hence at the end one
should have 0.0500 mol, or 0.0500 490 = 24.5 g of K3[Mn(C2O4)3]3H2O. The actual yield is
12.8
24.5 = 52% (1

4.

point).

If the second stage of the reaction is conducted in the light, an intermolecular reaction

photolysis of A occurs:

Mn(III) + C(III) = Mn(II) + C(IV)

The actual products of this reaction are K2[Mn(C2O4)2]yH2O and CO2. From the potassium mass
fraction, = 2. The chemical equation is (1 point):
2K3[Mn(C2O4)3]3H2O = 2K2[Mn(C2O4)2]2H2O + K2C2O4 + 2CO2- + 2H2O
The formula of B is K2C2O4 (1 point), the formula of C is K2[Mn(C2O4)2]2H2O (1 point).
5.

A ligand exchange partially occurs in the solution (1 point):

[Mn(C2O4)3]3 + 2H2O [Mn(C2O4)2(H2O)2] + C2O2
4
Adding acid to the solution shifts the equilibrium to the right due to the formation of the

oxalic acid; diluting solution also shifts the equilibrium to the right. The color change is due to the
formation of [Mn(C2O4)2(H2O)2] complex (1 point).

Problem 6 (author D.V. Kandaskalov)

1.

We can find Rydberg constant using the first line of the Table as it is only one which is

completed. As the one wavelength is known approximately we will find approximate value of
Rydberg constant:
-1

1 1
1
1 1 1
1 1 1
= R 2 - 2 R = 2 - 2 =
2 - 2
n
n
n
n
l
l
100
1 3
2
2
1
1

-1

= 0.01125 nm1

Then we can precise the Rydberg constant using the second line and calculating n2:

1 1
1 1
1
1
= R 2 - 2
0.01125 2 - 2 n2 1.94 .
l
n1 n2 121
1 n2
As n2 - natural number, it must be n2 = 2, thus one can calculate precise value of R:
-1

-1

1 1 1
1 1 1
R = 2 - 2 =
- = 0.01102 nm1.
l n1 n2
121 12 2 2
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As n1 < n2, the Ballmer series has n1 = 1 or 2. n1 = 1 - is Layman series as we can see in the Table.
Thus, Ballmer series has n1 = 2 and wave length of electron transfer 2 3 is

l=

1
1
1
R 2 - 2
n1 n2

1
= 655 nm
1 1
0.01102 2 - 2
2 3

For Brackett series we have:

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
= R 2 - 2
= 0.01102 2 - 2 2 = 0 n2
n2
n2
l
n1 n2 1456
4
2.

The ground state of atom corresponds to the electron on the first orbit. Thus, the

corresponding series is the Layman one.

3.

The first formula could be seen as the energy difference between two orbits. Thus, the energy

of the ground state of hydrogen atom (n = 1) is

E = hn =

hc
= - R h c = 1.102107 6.621034 3108 = 2.1891018 J
l

To obtain the energy of 1 mole of atoms we should use the NA factor: E = 2.1891018 6.021023 =
= 1.318106 J/mol.
4.

The total energy of hydrogen atom is the sum of potential and kinetic energy

Etotal = Epot + Ekin = Epot - Epot / 2 =

- e2
- e2
- e2
- e2
=
=

4pe 0 rn 8pe 0 rn 8pe 0 rn 8pe 0 a0 n 2

e2
(
1.6 10 -19 )
a0 = =
= 52.6 10 -12 m = 52.6 pm
2
-18
-12
2
Epot 8pe 0 n
2.189 10 8 3.14 8.85 10 1
2

The minimal distance between the 3rd and the 2nd orbits: r3 r2 = a032 a022 = 5a0 = 263 pm
5.

The ionization energy corresponds to electron transfer from ground state (n = 1) to infinite

state (n = ):

1 1
E = E - E1 = E1 2 - 2 = - E1 = 2.1891018 J
1
6.

Energy of H2 is smaller than the double energy of H by the bond energy:

EH 2 = 2 EH - Ebond E bond = 2 EH - EH 2 = 2 ( -1318) + 3070 = 434 kJ/mol

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50th International Mendeleev Olympiad, 2016

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Problem 7 (author .. )
1.

Hydroquinone are the derivatives of 1,4-dihydroxybenzene, the latter containing 29.06 wt.%

of oxygen. Hence, BH2 contains additional substituent(s) in the benzene ring. Since the oxygen
fraction given in the task is lower than that in the unsubstituted hydroquinone, it is reasonable to
assume that the additional substituents do not contain oxygen. The molar mass is then
M(BH2) = 2 16.00 / 0.2578 = 124.1 g/mol. The mass of the C6(OH)2 moiety is of 106.1 g/mol, the
residue of 18 g/mol corresponds to three hydrogen atoms and a methyl group. Hence, BH2 is 2methylbenzene-1,4-diol (1 point).
2.

BH2 + H2O2 = B + 2H2O + Q (1 point)

3.

By definition, standard enthalpy of reaction (3) equals standard enthalpy of water formation

(285.83 kJ/mol). Standard enthalpy of reaction (2) equals the difference between the enthalpies of
formation of the products (285.83 + 0 kJ/mol) and the starting compounds (187.78 kJ/mol), and
is equal to 98.05 kJ/mol (2 points).
4.

G = nFE = H TS H = nF d(E/T)/d(1/T) (n = 2 is the number of electrons

involved in the electrode reaction, F is the Faraday constant). Replacing with the numerical values
given in the task, one gets H = +177.5 kJ/mol (2 points). The resultant reaction mentioned in
question 2 is a sum of the reactions (1) (3). The enthalpy of the resultant process is the sum of
enthalpies of these reactions (Hesss law). Finally 285.83 98.05 + 177.5 = 206.4 kJ/mol (1 point).
5.

Let us determine the composition of 1 g of the reaction mixture: 0.1 g (0.8 mmol) of BH2,

0.25 g (7.3 mmol) of H2O2 and 0.65 g of water. Hence, the resultant reaction (see question 2) will
consume the stoichiometric amount of hydrogen peroxide (0.8 mmol), and the residual peroxide
(6.5 mmol) will decompose via reaction (2). The total heat emission by 1 g of the system is
206.4 0.8 + (98.05 6.5) = 802 J. Heating of 1 g of the system from 25 to 100C will consume
4.2 75 = 315 J, and the complete evaporation of the mixture would require 2256 J. Hence, the
mixture will be heated up to boiling, and (802 315) / 2256 1/5 of the mixture will be evaporated.
The excreted stream can be therefore regarded as liquid aerosol (small droplets of the solution
heated to boiling in the gas mixture as the continuous phase) (3 ).

Problem 8 (author S.G. Bahtin)

1.

According to the problem condition, compounds and can be decribed as products of 1,2-

and 1,4-addition of dichlorocarbene to cyclic hydrocarbon . This shows directly that is 1,3diene. The formation of 2 mol of 2 during the reductive ozonoloysis of 1 mol demobnstrates
that X has two =2 fragments. From the given formula of X it is possible to conclude that this is
1,2-bis(methylene)cycloalkane. Product of its ozonolysis F cycloalkane-1,2-dione contains three
types of hydrogen atoms in a ratio of 2:2:1. This information allows for concluding that F is
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cycloheptane-1,2-dione. Therefore, is 1,2-bis(methylene)cycloheptane. It reacts with acrolein via

Diels-Alder cycloaddition furnishing bicyclic product . Compound is the product of 1,2addition of :CCl2, i.e. this is the corresponding cyclopropane. is the cyclopentene derivative
(formally this is the product of 1,4-addition of :CCl2 despite the real mechanism of its formation is
the sigmatropic rearrangement of ). The reaction of = bond in with dichlorocarbene produces
three-membered ring. From the chlorine content in D we can determine its molecular formula as
1116Cl2. It means that reaction of with Ph3SnH leads to the substitution of two chlorine atoms
by two hydrogens. Compound D has diastereomers only if two substitutions proceed at two
different carbon atoms. The final step of compound I synthesis is the elimination of HCl under
treatment with strong base potassium tert-butoxide. This elimination is accompanied by the
fragmentation of the cyclic system (7 structural formulae, 1 point for each, 7 points in total)
Cl

Cl Cl
CH2 :CCl
2

CH2

Cl
Cl

CH2

1) O3

H
O

Cl

t-BuOK

O
E

Cl

DMSO

Structural formulae of diastereomers of D (4 formulae, 0.25 points for each, 1 point in total):
Cl

Cl

Cl

Cl

3.

Cl
Cl
Ph3SnH

2) Zn
O AcOH

2.

Cl

:CCl2

Cl
Cl

Cl

Cl

The Friedel-Crafts alkylation is the reversible process. So, in the presence of acids,

alkylbenzenes can be protonated at the substituted carbon atom of the aromatic ring affording the
corresponding s-complex III. The alkyl group migration leads to the new s-complex IV which has
no steric strains intrinsic to the compound I and cation III. The deprotonation of cation IV
accomplishes the transformation of I into II. (Structural formula of II 1 point, structural formulae
of III and IV 0.5 points for each; 2 points in total).

H+
H
I

- H+
IV

III

- 11 -

II